Atomizer



Aug- 23, 1949. A. H. BAHNsoN, JR 2,479,895

ATOMIZER Filed Oct. 19. 1945 Patented Aug. 23, 1949 ATOMIZER Agnew H.Bahnson, Jr., Winston-Salem, N. C.,

assignor to Katharine King Bahnson, Winston- Salem, N. C.

Application october 19, 1945, serial No. .623,227

7 Claims.

This invention relates to atomizers of the type commonly employed foradding moisture in air conditioning systems. y

An object of the invention is to provide an atomizer of simple andvArelatively inexpensive construction which is reliable in operation andrequires a minimum of service to maintain it in operation. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide an atomizer in which the flow ofwater is automatically controlled, i. e., whi-ch may be connected at alltimes to a supply of water at a predetermined pressure but which willnot function to atomize the water unless and until air at a pressurewithin a range corresponding to the water pressure is supplied.

The atomizer oi the present invention is so designed that the air oricethrough which air alone or the mixture of air and atomized water passesis open at al1 times and the water valve leading to the water orificenormally is held closed or seated by a spring of sucient strength toresist the water pressure which tends to open the valve. The spring maybe made strong enough to hold all water pressures which are likely to beapplied to the atomizer. The strength of the spring may vary within awide range but must, as stated, be strong enough to close the watervalve in the absence oi suicient air pressure to atomize the water andmust not be so strong that it cannot be overcome by the air pressureapplied to the atomizer. The relationships ofthe strength of the spring,the air pressure, the water pressure and the sizes of the air and waterdiaphragms will be understood from the following detailed description ofthe atomizer and its operation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment ofthe invention:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the atomizer on the line I-Iof Figure 2 showing the parts of the atomizer in rest position with thewater valve closed.

Figure 2 is a transverse section through the atomizer on line '2--2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a section similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the partsof the atomizer in operating position with the water valve open.

Referring to the drawings the atomizer consists of a housing formed ofthe three parts A, B and C threaded together. The front part A has thecentral opening I surrounded internally by the sleeve 2 which serves toposition the spring 3. Part A also has the shoulder or ridge 4 whichprovides a seat for the outer edge of the air diaphragm 5. Between thesleeve 2 and the shoulder 4 is an open space permitting free movement ofthe spring 3 and the diaphragm 5. The front side of the middle part B ofthe housing has the ridge 6 of the same diameter as ridge 4, which alsoprovides a seat for the diaphragm 5,

that is to say, the outer edge of the diaphragm 5 is held between theridges 4 and 6 when parts A and B are screwed tightly together. The rearside of the middle part B of the housing is provided with a ridge 1 forengaging the outer edge of the water diaphragm 8. Part B has a centralopening through which the valve mechanism extends and which forms an airchamber deiined by the wall of the opening, the valve mechanism and thetwo diaphragms. A passageway 9 extends through the wall of part B fromthe air chamber therein to the pipe connection I0 adapted to beconnected to a source of air under pressure (not shown).

The rear part C of the housing has a ridge `II on its front face of thesame diameter as the ridge I and adapted to cooperate therewith whenparts B and C are screwed tightly together to grip and hold the outeredge of the water diaphragm 8. Rear part C has the rearwardly projectingscrew threaded projection I2 adapted to be connected to a source ofwater under pressure (not shown). Projection I2 has an axial screwthreaded bore I3. The valve rod I4 is screw threaded into this bore. Thevalve rod I4 has a central bore I5 extending through that portionthereof within the bore I3 and laterally extending connecting bores I6through which water may pass into the chamber formed by the inner wallof the part C and the diaphragm 8. Within the part C and in front of thebores I6 is a fine Screen or lter II for preventing dirt from passingwith the water into the valve mechanism.

The valve mechanism comprises the stem I4 referred to above, the sleeveI8 and the sleeve I9. The valve stem is provided at its front end withthe cleaning pin 20 around which is the shoulder 2| constituting thevalve disc or seat. The sleeve I8 slidably iits over the valve stem I4with suiiicient clearance between them for the passage of suflicientwater to supply the valve oriilce. The rear end of the sleeve I8 hasscrew threaded projection 22 which extends through a central opening inthe diaphragm 8. In front of the screw threaded end 22 is the shoulder23. Diaphragm 8 is secured to the sleeve I8 between the shoulder 23 anda washer 24 by the nut 25. The front end of the sleeve I8 is closed bythe screw plug 26 having the central opening or water jet orifice 21which receives the cleaning pin '20 when the valve is closed as shown inFigure 1. Washer means 28 provides a water tight joint between the rearface of the plug 26 and the shoulder 2| when the valve is closed.

As will be seen from the foregoing description the valve stem I4 isstationary and the sleeve I8 may move with the diaphragm 8longitudinally with respect to the stem I4 to open or close the watervalve.

3 Sleeve I9 is slidable within the opening I in the :frontpart -A @and`is alsosslidable ,over the sleeve I 8,.;the1e beingvsuicientvclearance'between the sleeves I8 and I9 for the passage of the quantityof air required for the atomization of the.

stream of water passing through the jet orifice 21. Sleeve I9 is closedat its front end excepting the orifice 29 through which air orthe mX-.

ture of air and atomized waterpasses.. Slt-geve..y

I9 is screw threaded at its rear end and extends through the diaphragmto which it is secured between the shoulder 3d and` the'nut 3|;L Nut-3|;

wardly against the spring 3 will not cause the water.valyeto open. The`ailxprcssure must vtherefore-.be within 1imts,'1wliich may bedetermined by correlation of the relative eiective `areas of thediaphragms 5 and 8 and the strength y'sure' which islessathan the waterpressure and extends rearwardly to engage the shoulderv 23pm; the sleeveIS and deter-mines the spacing between thediaphragms 5 ands. Diaphragnis5 and 8 and, sleeves i8 and i9 move together asrwlll` appearinthedescriptionof the operation of the atomizer. tk isto be noted, however,lthatthe nutu3IY does not seat fluid' tight on the shoulder 23. 10utisapertured as shown at-32to permit the passageof air vfrom the chamberwithin the middle'partB to the clearancer or passageway 3vbe tween thesleeves i8 and i9 (see Figure 2). The springe is mounted between Ytheinner wall of the `front, partAand the shoulder l3l! andlis supported inposition concentric to theA sleeve i9" by the sleeve 2. Spring 3 iscompressed and tends to force the diaphragm 5, sleeve lfsleeve I8 anddiaphragmn rearwardlyand to hold the plugvjZ on,t he seat 2Ijto closethe water valve.

The operation .of the atomizer is Aas follows: Assumingthat,V a;waterepressure oi say rpounds perv squareI in ch is maintainedffrorn thesource therep` through the bores i5 and it, 'the screen I'I andthepassage between the stein If-l andthe sleeve IB` to the water valve EI.,25, v2S, this pressurewill be applied to therear f ace of the diaphragmeand will tendto force it and its associated parts, i. e., sleeves ,I8and `E9; forwardly against th'epressure of the Spring 3. M4,Spring 3 'Lmust .there-lore be strong enough Ato hold the water valveclosed againstthe waterpressure employed.. New When air-under a pressure. 0f, Say 20,ypounds per square inch, is admitted through passageway 9 it will ,pressen the rear surface of'lthe diaphragm 5 andon the front surface lof theAdiaphragm 8 and will move the diaphragm 5 and its associated parts, i.e., sleeve i9 forwardly against the pressure of the spring 3. Thepressure of the air tends to hold diaphragmu and its sleeve I3 in theirrearward position but rsince sleeve IS'has now been freed ofl thepressure of spring 3 and since the ywater pressure-on the rear surfaceof the diaphragm 8. is ,greater than the air pressure on its .frontsurface, it and the ,sleeve I8; will lmove forwardly opening the watervalve 2h26', 23:'` Actually sleeve I8 willollow sleeve I9 inits ,forwardmovement Imaintaining the nut 3l'ahd`the shoulder 23 in Contact; vIf thewater pressure falls, the diaphragm` 8 willl be moved rearwardly by theairpressure andthe water valve will close and air will escapethrough theorifice ZQ'harmlessly. If the air pressurev is re.-

duced or cutoff the spring 3 will force sleeves VI9 and I8V rearwardlyand close the water valve. Thus failure or either the air Vpressure orthe water pressure or such variation thereof lwl'iioh would giveinferior operation of the atorniaenwill stopits operation. As statedabove an air vprefsg sure greater thanthe water pressure, Aalthougl1' itmay Aforce sleeve i8 forwardly against the spring 3. will also forcesleeve I8V rearwardly against the water pressurer and prevent theopening of the water valve. On the other hand aniairprlessure which isinsuiicient to force sleeve I9'forwhichvtherefore will permit the waterpressure to open the water valvefto overcome the pressure of the spring3. n

1 -The-above-descriptionofthe operation of the atomizer -only takesintoaccounta f complete opening or a complete closing of the-water' valve.Itiis noted-howevert-hatthe water valve doesvnot necessarilymovev-toy-completely opener' completelyclosed position. Witha waterpressure of z'pounds and no air pressure thevalve-will becompletelyclosed land with a water pressure of 25 pounds-and an air-pressure of.20-pounds it will be completelyopen,assuming that the effective area,of the diaphragm 5 ,is materially -greaterthan the effective area, ofthe diaphragm Bysay a ratio of 2 12o-Land that the spring 3 is of-theproper strength to hold the Water pressure and to yield freelyltothear-pressure I have noted that at intermediate-,water andair'pressures which-are insuicient tov completely'ppen the-water valve,for insta-nce at a water pressure of- 25 -pounds and an, air pressure ofabout 151- pounds, the water valve, opens Onlypartiallyand permitsonly alimited flow of 'water correspond.- ing to the reduced air pressure.,This isa very desirable action Vsince a full supply'of water with adiminished airpressure would tend to. overload the-stream of air andgive an effect known as wetting down 4which -is due. to'4` incompleteatomization and vaporization oi?.l the water. LThe pin- {il}` alsoserves, due toits close proximity Ato the-opening 2fto'c'ause turbulenceirl-the stream of/ water'passing throughv the Opening, 27" `and 'thustobreak iup Nthe stream and improve, the atomization thereof. This eliectYincreases as the pin 2U' approaches the ,opening, 21ji. ge. asthe valveVapproaches closed"V position, dueto., a fall, 4in Water pressure orairfpressure andwhnthere is greater, need for ilhismeiect. 4.'Ihe,pin,ZILalso serves to clean the openirigZI,

I claim: ,l i

1. An atomizerY comprising a hollow shell-enclosing a' chamber,- afrontand a vrear., flexible diaphragm dividing said`chanjiber. in to.v.a iront compartments middle..c0mpartmentand a tear compartment; awaterinlet to sailrzear` compartment yand atgthe rea-.1"V ,Oisaid irearA .diaphragm-,4 an air inlettolsaid middle compartmentandaoutlet foratomiziel mixture of lair lantimater. inVL that portionofutheshellenolosing saidiront compartment, Y a stationary. valve stern'supported by .that portion ofthe shell enclosngsaidreaiqcoinpartf ment,`a valve sleeve secured toand4 extending through said rear diaphragm-and Surrounding said valve stern, means including said sleeveand stemconstituting a valve controlling the passage of Awater from said'rearAcompartmeiit through said sleeve, a second sleevesecuredtoandextendinsthroush Said front. diaphrasmendsurround.- ingsaid valvesleeve; oooperatingtgpmeans,on said sleeves to Vlimit the minimum,separation there@ .when .disulacedbv fluidpressuresexerted upon theirrespective supporting diaphragms and a spring within said frontcompartment positioned to urge said sleeves rearwardly to close saidvalve, the force exerted by said spring being greater than the pressureof the water in said rear compartment on said rear diaphragm, and saidfront diaphragm presenting a substantially greater area than said reardiaphragm to the interior of said middle compartment.

2. An atomizer comprising a shell enclosing a chamber, said shell havingan inlet for water, an inlet for air and an outlet for mixture of airand atomized water, a valve including relatively movable elementscontrolling the flow of water from said water inlet to said outlet, afirst diaphragm within said chamber and carrying a movable element ofsaid valve, said first diaphragm being positioned to be subjected on oneside to the pressure of the water supplied through said water inlet andon the other side to the pressure of the air supplied through sai-f. airinlet, a second diaphragm within said chamber positioned to be sub-`iected on one side to the pressure of the air supplied through said airinlet, and a valve-closing spring within said chamber positioned to urgesaid second diaphragm in opposition to said air pressure and to act withsaid air pressure to urge said rst diaphragm in opposition to said waterpressure to close said valve, said second diaphragm presenting a greaterarea than the rst diaphragm to the air pressure.

3. An atomizer comprising a shell enclosing a chamber, two parallelspaced apart exible diaphragms extending across said chamber anddividing the same into a front compartment, a middle compartment and arear compartment, said diaphragm forming parts of the front and rearwalls of said middle compartment, an air conduit open to and extendingforwardly from said middle compartment through one of said diaphragmsinto said front compartment and having an orice in its front end, awater conduit open to said rear compartment and extending forwardlytherefrom through the other of said diaphragms into said air conduit andhaving an orice in its front end, a stationary valve member supported bysaid shell and extending forwardly through said water conduit, valvemeans carried by Said wate;1 conduit and cooperating with saidstationary valve member to prevent iiow of water through the orice whensaid diaphragms are in rearward position, a water inlet to said rearcompartment, an air inlet to said middle compartment, an opening in saidfront compartment for the discharge of atomized water and air, andresilient means in said front compartment tensioned to urge said airconduit and Water conduit rearwardly to close said water orice.

4. An atomizer as defined in claim 3 in which the orice in said waterconduit has rearwardly outwardly sloping side walls and said stationaryvalve member has a forwardly projecting pin adapted to extend throughsaid orice when said diaphragms are in rearward position.

5. An atomizer comprising a hollow shell, a front and a rear iiexiblediaphragm dividing the interior of said shell into a front compartmentand a rear compartment separated by an intermediate compartment, aninlet to the intermediate compartment for connection to a source of gasunder pressure, an inlet to the rear compartment for connection to asource of liquid under a higher pressure than that of said gas source,said iront compartment having an outlet for an atomized mixture of gasand liquid, a stationary valve stem supported by that portion of theshell enclosing the rear compartment, a valve sleeve secured to andextending through said rear diaphragm, said valve sleeve being radiallyspaced from said valve stem to provide a passage for liquid and having aliquid orifice at its forward end, valve means carried by said valvesleeve and cooperating with said stationary valve stem to prevent iiowthrough said liquid orice when said valve sleeve is in rearwardposition, a second sleeve secured to and extending through said frontdiaphragm, said second sleeve being radially spaced from said firstsleeve to provide a gas passage and having at its front end an orificefor the discharge of a mixture of gas and liquid, spring means in theiront compartment tending to retain said second sleeve in rearwardposition, and cooperating stop means on said sleeves to force said valvesleeve rearwardly into valve-closing position when said second sleeve ismoved into rearward position by said spring means, the areas of thediaphragms forming walls of the intermediate chamber being so related tothe gas and liquid pressures that gas pressure within the intermediatechamber overcomes said spring means to move said second sleeve forwardlyand is insuiiicient to prevent forward movement of said valve sleeve byliquid pressure exerted upon the rear surface of the rear diaphragm.

6. An atomizer as recited in claim 5, in combination with a pin mountedon said valve stem for cleaning the orifice of said valve sleeve whenthe latter is in valve-closed position.

7. An atomizer for operation from a pressure source of liquid and a gassource under a lower pressure, said atomizer comprising an elongatedhollow shell and axially spaced pressure-responsive means dividing theinterior space of said shell into a front compartment and a rearcompartment separated by an intermediate compartment, a liquid inlet tothe rear compartment and at the rear of the pressure-responsive meansforming a wall of said rear compartment, a gas inlet to the intermediatecompartment, valve means for controlling the iiow of liquid through saidatomizer and comprising a stationary valve stem cooperating with a valvesleeve supported by and movable with the rear pressure-responsive means,and spring means preventing opening movement of said valve means byliquid pressure exerted on said rear pressure-responsive means, thedimensions of said front pressure-responsive means being such that gaspressure within said intermediate chamber relieves said rearpressureresponsive means from the force of said spring means, wherebysaid valve means may be opened by liquid pressure in the rearcompartment.

AGNEW H. BAHNSON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 724,685 Evans Apr. '7, 1903 1363470 Knudson Dec. 28, 1920 1,879,363 Loepsinger Sept. 27, 19322,097,696 MacDonald Nov. 2, 1937 2,186,214 Simon Jan. 9, 1940 2 311,018Bahnson Feb. 16, 1943 2 348 248 Elliott May 9, 1944 2,362,102 Simon Nov.7, 1944 2,384,679 Holtzclaw Sept. 11, 1945

